It's OK to be proud of "the best road system in the world". As you point out, you pay taxes to support it.
However, it's easier to solve certain types of transportation problems when your population density is as high as it is in The Netherlands.
Consider that 41 out of 50 US states have a larger land area than The Netherlands. Consider that only 4 out of 50 US states have a larger population than The Netherlands.
We in the USA need to build and maintain a lot of roads. And our lower population density means that mass transit isn't nearly as viable, except in the largest metropolitan areas, as it is in most of Europe.
